Zimmer, Louis

ZIMMER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/22/2008 at 15:52:34

Sabula Gazette
April 15, 1876

Louis Zimmer of Miles

SUICIDE OF A WEALTHY FARMER. Last Sunday, in Iowa township, near Miles, Louis Zimmer hanged himself in his cow stable. About noon he was missed, and a search over the premises discovered him quite dead suspended from a rafter. When last seen alive deceased was walking from his house in a direction opposite to the stable, which he reached by a circuitous route, that he might be unobserved and uninterfered with. Arriving there, he had climbed up on the side of the manger, fastened a rope over the rafter above and one end about his neck, jumped from the manger, and ended his troubles in this world, which appear to have been more imaginary than real. Upon his person, in one of his pockets, was found a letter to his wife, saying he did not want to live longer, begging forgiveness for taking himself off assuming all the blame for the deed, and stating that his domestic partner had always been good and true. The letter bore evidence of having been written under strong excitement, the substance here given being repeated three or four times. Deceased was a German about 50 years of age, and leaves no relatives, we believe, but a mother and wife, never having had a child. A coroner jury rendered verdict that deceased came to his death by his own hand by hanging. His remains were buried in the cemetery near Miles, funeral services being conducted in the church at that place by Rev. J. T. Spry, a large number attending. The cause of the suicide was a disordered mind, the result of worry over money matters. Zimmer a short time ago sold the farm upon which he ended his days, and since the sale had been tormented by the thought that he did not receive enough for it. He stated to his friends that he had nothing to show for his land but a few bits of paper. He was a close, grasping man, though honest in deal, and was successful financially. We are informed that his estate is worth about $20,000, amply means to have supported himself and family in comfort without further effort or anxiety. Some years ago Zimmer sold a farm upon which he then lived, and he never ceased to regret not having got more for it than he did. He was always discontented and restless, always buying and selling, and though making money steadily always regretted every transaction after it was closed. This constant fret had impaired his physical health, though not seriously, and had made a wreck of his mind, as is attested by his last act.